By Pat Turner - Contributing writer/Bulverde News :
August 12, 2010

While most of their players were getting their first taste of college football, the safety from Smithson Valley was one of the few players with experience after playing a season at Cisco Junior College.

It might not have been the NCAA Division II brand, but he was playing in one of the strongest conferences (Southwest Texas Junior College Conference) in junior college football. Besides, every little bit of experience helps.

“It helped me playing at Cisco, because I saw the speed of the game,” Hernandez said. “You don't see it in high school. Now, it's speed upon more speed at this level. I'm glad I came here with some experience, because I had a better idea of what to expect and how to handle certain situations.”

Hernandez showed how much it helped as he became a big part of the Cardinals' secondary with a career-high five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown and 29 tackles.

Strides were made overall as Incarnate Word put together a 5-5 record during their introduction to college football. Although it was a promising debut for Hernandez and the Cardinals, they aren't resting on their laurels.

If Hernandez has any say, last year's success is a preview of things to come.

After all, the intensity is turning up a notch as the Cardinals enter the Lone Star Conference against powers like A&M-Kingsville, West Texas A&M, Tarleton State and Midwestern State.

“I've never had five interceptions in a season,” Hernandez said. “Usually, I've had two or three, so that was exciting. It was a big confidence boost, but I can't let it go to my head. We all have to do better, because this is the real deal now. We're playing in the Lone Star Conference and that's the best conference in Division II. It's going to be tough competition every week. But the competition will make us better.”

Still, the previous success is a good building block. Hernandez has built quite during his playing career. It started at Smithson Valley where he helped the Rangers to the playoffs every season, including a trip to the 2004 Division II finals, which ended in a 27-24 loss to Southlake Carroll.

Now, it is showing during a strong college career. He's had the skills to do the job since the beginning. More important, the former Smithson Valley athlete has the drive.

He is a firm believer in working on all phases of the game constantly, while also becoming a student of the game. During that time Hernandez has learned valuable lessons about roaming the secondary. High on the list is finding a way to be in the right place at the right time and taking care of business.

“The best way to handle everything is technique,” Hernandez said. “You have to realize what the coaches are telling you works. I've learned so much from these coaches and that has made me a better player.

“You do your job and everything will fall into place. The main thing is confidence.”

Confidence, along with consistency, is definitely needed to survive the LSC, which consists of teams loaded with tradition.

Since this is Incarnate Word's second year of existence, there's no tradition to speak of at this point. Hernandez hopes that changes soon.

“People are going to take us more seriously now that we're in a conference,” Hernandez said. “It is a positive thing. We had a good year last season and with a break or two here and there it could have been better. If we plan to be better this year we have to leave everything on the field every day in practice and in games. We have to focus on getting better week by week.”